This article gives an overview of extensions in general. To learn what each extension type does, and how to pick the right extensions for you, go to Select extensions to use.

How they work

To maximize the performance of your text ads, Google Ads selects which extensions to show in response to each individual search on Google. For that reason, it’s a good idea to use all the extensions relevant to your business goals.

By adding more content to your ad, extensions give your ad greater visibility and prominence on the search results page. That means you tend to get more value from your ad. Extensions often increase your total number of clicks, and can give people additional, interactive ways of reaching you—as with maps or calls.

Many extension types require a bit of set-up—those are manual. Some extensions are added automatically when Google Ads predicts they’ll improve your performance—those are automated. No setup is required for automated extensions, so they don’t show up among your options when you’re creating manual extensions. Learn more about automated extensions.

When extensions show

Adding an extension won’t guarantee that it will show with your ad all the time. Extensions show with your ad when:

The extension (or combination of extensions) is predicted to improve your performance.

Your ad’s position and Ad Rank is high enough for extensions to show. To show extensions, Google Ads requires a minimum Ad Rank. (Ad Rank calculations factor in your extensions).

Cost

There's no cost to add extensions to your campaign. Clicks on your ad (including your extension) will be charged as usual. (The exception is clicks on seller ratings, which are not charged.) So you’re charged for a click when someone calls you from a call extension or when someone downloads your app from an app extension. Google Ads charges no more than two clicks per impression for each ad and its extensions. Learn more About extensions and actual cost-per-click.